The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-11
THE PATE OF TIE ANARCHISTS.

the penitentiary for life. while Spies, Engel,
Parsons and Fischer will suffer the death pen
atty. Thus the terrible drama approaches a
conclusion. The shocking circumstances of
Linggs suicide give it prominent place in
this series Of crimes and horrors. His death
was in keeping with his life, and seems fit
conclusion of lawless career. Daniel Web
ster once said regarding criminal, Suicide
is confession" If not confession Of guilt in
this case, it is at least confession that the
doomed man felt he had no hope of escape.
The demands Of justice would have been
better met and the dignity of the law more
completely indicated if Lingg had suffered
death on the gallows, but he has chosen diff
ferent way out of the world, and one in keep
ing with his life and practices The circum-
stances of his death, not less than what is
known of his life, show him to have been
very desperate man. That he deserved death
there is not a particle of doubt, and it is
equally certain that society and the world are
better off without him. How he could have
received and concealed the explosive machine
with which he killed himself is something of
a mystery. The prisoners have, however.
been accorded many privileges in the way of
receiving visitors and packages, and the ex-
plosive was doubtless passed in from the out
side. The responsibility for this phase of the
tragedy rests on the sheriff and jailer who
have evidently tried to make things too pleas
ant for the convicts.
The communication of the sentences of
Fielding and Schwab has been generally ex-
pected for some days past. There were miti-
eating circumstances which seemed to Justify
the exercise of executive clemency to the
extent of committing their sentence. In
doing this, after very profound consideration,
Governor Oglesby has shown desire to do
equal and exact justice under the law. This
is all the law demands. It is not blood
thirsty nor vindictive. Justice as much
requires the suspension Of the death penalty
in the case of those who may not deserve it,
as it does the execution of those who do The
grounds of discrimination we're not such as
the courts could take notice of, but the dis
cretionary power vested in the Governor
enabled him to do so and justice req uired that
he should. His exercise of clemency towards
two of the convicts strengthens the case
against the others, and gives the final approx
al to their sentence. Governor Oglesby was
placed in a very trying position, and sub
jected to great strain. His action will be
approved by law-abiding citizens everywhere
The decision of Governor Oglesby is brief,
manly and humane. 1t keeps strictly within
the law and within his legal prerogatives. He
is satisfied of the guilt of all the prisoners
but in the cases of Fielder and Schwab there
are elements and circumstances which permit
the exercise of the clemency he extends with
out sacrificing the interests of law and justice
The decision of Governor Oglesby is valuable
in this: that it emphasizes the justice of the
verdict. In the trial court, after a
long and exhaustive hearing, where
they were ably defended, the jury re-
turned a unanimous verdict of guilty
against the prisoners, with sentence of death.
The judge patiently heard arguments for
new trial and refused it. The Supreme
Court of the State, after patient investiga-
ton, in opinion that stands as a monu-
ment to the care, conscience and ability of
the bench, affirmed the righteousness of the
sentence and the legality of the trial. The
Supreme Court of the United States after
full hearing of arguments from some of the
most distinguished lawyers of the Nation,
affirmed the legality of the action of the State
courts, and now the court of last resort, the
honorable brave, tender-hearted man, a man
who has fought and shed his blood for the
supremacy of law and the reign of govern
ment, gives his opinion, aftera careful and
thorough study of the record and the evil
dence. that the sentence of guilty passed upon
the seven men was just and deserved.
There can be nothing further, and no
further room for doubt, appeal, or denun-
citation, for sentimentalism or cowardice. IF
law is worth anything. if government is to
count for anything, the four felons. go to the
scaffold in Chicago to-day under the operations
of law and justice, affirmed and vindicated
by every means civilization has afforded to |
test the guilt or innocence of men. They are |
murderers; they were tried as murderers, con- |
victed as murderers, sentenced as murderers, |
and will be hanged as murderers. This |
should not be forgotten. but should be |
remembered and emphasized. Law and
justice pronounce them murderers worthy
the gallows, and from that decision, reached
rs it has been through such careful, tedious,
and diverse channels and meth
DDS, no honorable citizen of the country, no
man or woman who cares for law, the safety
Of society, and the maintenance of organized
can afford to further appeal or
dissent To use the words of Frederick
Douglass apnlied to another idea but equally